ASC 378- Exam 3

Minerals

inorganic elements that are required for the maintenance of good health and production

Maco minerals

Ca, P, Mg, Na, Cl, K, S

micro (trace) minerals

Fe, Mn, Cu, I, Zn, Cr, Co, Mo, Se, Fl

Which minerals are normally not supplemented in diets because levels in feed ingredients are sufficient

Mg, K, S

Functions of mineral elements (4)

1. structural - component of teeth, bones

2. cofactors of enzymes (charge on metal ion can aid enzymes)

3. constituents of essential components inthe body

4. constituents of body fluids like blood, interstitial fluid, and intracellular fluid.

Examples of constituents of essential components in body

Fe in Hb

I in thyroxine

Co in Vit B12

S in methionine and biotin

Mo in xanthine oxidase

What are the constituents of body fluids?

Blood, interstitial fluid, and intracellular fluid

What is one function of body fluid constituents?

Help maintain osmotic pressures to keep fluid in cells or in blood

How do body fluid constituents help maintain normal blood pH?

By acting as buffers

What role do body fluid constituents play in the nervous system?

They are involved in the transmission of nerve impulses

What is one cause of mineral deficiencies?

Suboptimal amount of feed

What can cause a decrease in mineral absorption without being a deficiency?

Imbalance of another mineral

What condition can increase the rate of passage of elements through the gut or body?

Scours

What is a metabolic antagonist in relation to dietary minerals?

It causes the animal to require more dietary minerals to overcome antagonism

Which element is almost entirely excreted in feces?

Copper

What is one route of excretion for certain substances?

Urine

What are two routes of excretion for some substances?

Both feces and urine

Which element can be lost through sweat?

Sodium (Na)

Under what circumstances may iron (Fe) be lost from the body?

Due to blood loss from wounds, disease, or menstrual cycle

chelation

A chelating agent binds a mineral to varying degrees and generally has the effect of sequestering, or isolating, the mineral from interactions with other compounds

What is a nutritional significance of chelation?

Chelation may bind trace elements in the diet and then release them at the site where needed, preventing other interactions during digestion.

What is a medical function of chelation?

Chelation removes certain isotopes or poisons from the body by binding them, allowing the complex to be excreted.

Examples of natural chelators

Hemoglobin - Fe

Vit B12 - Co

Cytochrome oxidase - Fe&Cu

synthetic chelators

EDTA - also acts as an anticoagulant by sequestering Ca++ ions, which are necessary for the clotting reaction

Adequate Ca&P nutrition depends on 3 factors:

1. sufficient supply of Ca &P

2. a suitable ratio between the two (1:1 -2:1)

3. The presence of Vit D (increase Vit D = increase utilization)

which minerals are integrated in metabolism, compose over 70% of the body's minerals and are quantitatively the 2 most important

Ca & P

What percentage of calcium is found in bones and teeth?

99%

What percentage of phosphorus is found in bones and teeth?

80%

What is the major structural component formed by calcium and phosphorus in bones?

Hydroxy apatite crystals

What is the typical calcium to phosphorus ratio in bone?

2:1

What is one major function of calcium in the body?

Bone formation

What percentage of calcium is found in soft tissues?

About 1%

In which soft tissues is calcium found?

Blood serum and muscle

Regulatory function Ca is necessary for (5)

1. Ca is Necessary for the blood clotting mechanism, along with vitamins D and K

2. neuromuscular activity - interacts with other minerals to control and regulate muscle and nerve reactions

3. enzyme activator ex: pancreatic lipase, succinic dehydrogenase, ATPase

4. osmoregulator in that it helps regulate the osmotic pressure of the cellular fluids of the body

5. helps maintain acid-base equilibrium of body fluids

What is necessary for blood clotting?

- Ca * (without Ca no blood clotting will occur)

- vitamin D

- Vitamin K

How is Ca involved in neuromuscular activity

Ca++ interacts with other minerals (Mg++, Na+, K+, H+) to control and regulate muscle and nerve reactions

Ca++ deficiency can lead to tetany or continuous contraction; excess Ca++ can so impair muscle function that cardiac or respiratory failure may result

How is Ca an enzyme activator

activates pancreatic lipase, succinic dehydrogenase, ATPase

How is Ca an osmoregulator?

It helps regulate the osmotic pressure of the cellular fluids of the body

Absorption of Ca

occurs primarily in the proximal portion of the gut

What condition helps keep calcium (Ca++) in solution for absorption?

Acid condition

Which vitamin is involved in the active transport of calcium and increases mucosal cell permeability to Ca++?

Vitamin D

How do high levels of phytic acid affect calcium absorption?

They decrease absorption

What effect does high oxalic acid have on calcium absorption?

It reduces absorption

What is the effect of excess phosphorus (P) on calcium absorption?

It decreases absorption

What hormone increases calcium absorption and storage?

Estrogens

How does age affect calcium absorption?

It decreases absorption

What is the excretion route for undigested and unabsorbed calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P)?

Feces

What does feces also contain besides undigested and unabsorbed calcium and phosphorus?

Endogenous calcium and phosphorus (metabolized and re-excreted)

Is apparent digestibility useful in determining the usefulness of dietary calcium and phosphorus sources?

No, it is not very useful.

Blood Ca usually about _____________?

9-12mg/100ml

What is the primary source of blood calcium (Ca++)?

Diet

Is blood calcium readily influenced by dietary intake?

No

What hormone increases when serum calcium decreases?

Parathyroid hormone

What effect does parathyroid hormone have on blood calcium levels?

It increases blood calcium by releasing calcium from bone.

What hormone increases when serum calcium increases?

Calcitonin

What effect does calcitonin have on blood calcium levels?

It decreases blood calcium.

How is blood calcium maintained despite fluctuations in intake and losses?

Under strict hormonal control

What are examples of the effects of changes in serum Ca++ levels

milk fever or parturient paresis

Blood Ca++ is low, not due to low dietary intake but rather to...

excessive drain on Ca with the onset of lactation and the parathyroid response

What is a symptom of calcium deficiency related to growth?

Reduced growth, especially bone.

What are two neurological symptoms of calcium deficiency?

Hyperirritability and tetany.

How does calcium deficiency affect reproductive performance?

It leads to poor reproductive performance.

What condition is caused by calcium deficiency in growing bones?

Rickets.

What happens to bones in young animals with rickets due to calcium deficiency?

Bones do not calcify properly and tend to bend under weight.

What are the physical manifestations of rickets in animals?

Bulging, swollen hocks; bones may buckle or fracture.

What is osteomalacia?

A condition in adults that involves a softening of the bone due to a decrease in mineral content.

What are the potential consequences of osteomalacia?

Weakness, deformity, and spontaneous fractures.

What are possible causes of osteomalacia?

Excess PTH, low blood calcium or phosphorus.

How can pregnancy and lactation relate to osteomalacia?

They may create a greater demand for calcium and phosphorus than what is assimilated from the diet.

What species are most likely to be deficient in Ca++ and why?

Swine and poultry

Due to the very rapid growth rate and their diets, grains and protein concentrates are lower in Ca than roughages

What percentage of phosphorus (P) in bone is associated with calcium (Ca++)?

80%

What is the concentration of phosphorus (P) in whole blood?

~35-45 mg P/100 ml

Where is most of the phosphorus (P) in whole blood found?

In red blood cells (RBCs)

What is the concentration of inorganic phosphorus (P) in plasma?

~4-9 mg/100 ml

What factors govern inorganic phosphorus (P) levels?

The same factors that promote calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) assimilation

What organ plays an important role in maintaining phosphorus (P) balance?

The kidneys

What percentage of phosphorus (P) is involved in bone formation?

80%

What percentage of phosphorus (P) is involved in organic reactions as an enzyme or coenzyme constituent?

20%

What is phosphorus (P) necessary for in carbohydrate metabolism?

Phosphorylation

What is the product of glucose phosphorylation?

Glucose-6-P

What role does phosphorus (P) play in electron and H+ transfers?

It is a component of NAD and NADH.

What is phosphorus (P) a constituent of?

ATP

What biological molecules contain phosphorus (P)?

Nucleoproteins, phosphoproteins, DNA, RNA, phospholipids

absorption of P

1. active absorption primarily in the distal duodenum

2. absorbed mainly as free phosphate

What element's presence favors the absorption of phosphorus?

Potassium

What levels of minerals are normal for good phosphorus absorption?

Normal levels of Ca, Fe, Mg, and some trace minerals

Which vitamin is essential for good phosphorus absorption?

Vitamin D

What type of medium favors the absorption of phosphorus?

Acid medium

What is more of a problem for phosphorus absorption than for calcium absorption?

Low phytic acid

What are minerals in the context of animal nutrition?

Inorganic elements essential for various bodily functions.

What are the two categories of minerals?

Macro minerals and micro (trace) minerals.

Name three macro minerals.

Calcium (Ca), Phosphorus (P), Magnesium (Mg).

What is the primary function of calcium in the body?

It is a major structural component of bones and teeth.

What role does Vitamin D play in calcium metabolism?

It enhances the absorption and utilization of calcium.

What is the typical calcium to phosphorus ratio in bones?

Usually 2:1.

What hormone increases calcium levels in the blood?

Parathyroid hormone (PTH).

What hormone decreases blood calcium levels?

Calcitonin.

What are some causes of mineral deficiencies in animals?

Suboptimal feed amounts, mineral imbalances, and increased metabolic demands.

What is chelation in relation to minerals?

A process where a chelating agent binds a mineral, isolating it from other compounds.

What is the significance of chelation in nutrition?

It may help in the absorption of trace elements and remove toxins from the body.